KissMeGoodnight
Article Series: Birth Control
What Are My Birth Control Options?
The
Birth Control Patch
If
you don't like wearing a contraceptive or taking it orally
(ie: "the pill"), you can slap it to your skin
because there are birth control patches available on the
market.
The
birth control patch is a thin, beige colored, four and a
half centimeter square patch that is applied to your skin.
Each patch contains hormones that release chemicals into your
bloodstream.
The chemicals found in the patch are progesterone and estrogen
that are designed to prevent ovulation which is the release
of an egg from the ovaries during a female's monthly cycle.
When this happens, a girl can have intercourse without the
risk of getting pregnant.
The
birth control patch also does something else. It thickens
the mucus that is produced in the cervix making it difficult
for the sperm to ever reach the eggs. Sometimes, the hormones
themselves may affect the lining of the uterus so if ever the
egg is fertilized, it will have a difficult time attaching
itself to the walls of the uterus.
Proper
usage of the birth control patch is done based on your monthly
menstrual cycle. This will be applied to the skin
for 3 weeks in a row and then on the fourth week, you remain
patch
free so you can have your monthly period.
The patch should be applied to one in four areas of the body
namely the abdomen, buttocks, upper arm or torso. The trick
is making sure that the patch is placed on the same day each
week because this is the only way to make sure that it is effective.
So,
if you decide to put on a patch on a Tuesday, this should
be replaced on a Tuesday the following week. Once you remove
the old one, put the new one close to the previous area as
this avoids skin irritation. Do not apply the new patch if
the skin has a cut, is color red or irritated.
First time users of birth control patches are advised to use
an additional form of contraception during the first 7 days
of use. This is a failsafe in the event that the birth control
patch falls off.
Birth control patches are waterproof
and sweat proof so you
can continue doing your daily routine. You must never apply
soap and other skin products because this may affect its ability
to stick on your skin.
Because the birth control patch releases chemicals into the
bloodstream, you may experience some side effects. This includes
abdominal pain, breast tenderness, fluid retention or raised
blood pressure, irregular bleeding, headaches, menstrual cramps
and nausea.
Not
all women may use birth control patches. If you are 35 years
of age, suffer from blood clots, chest pain, diabetes,
high blood pressure, headaches, known or suspected tumor, hepatitis,
heart diseases and allergic to patches, it is advised that
you find another birth control method.
Some
drugs interactions may also complicate the effectiveness
of the birth control patch. These include certain antibiotics
that
are used
to treat seizures, migraines and tuberculosis. When you speak
to your doctor about birth control methods, it is best to undergo
a physical examination and reveal to him or her any other relevant
information about your medical condition.
Birth control patches are easy to use. You just have to put
it in the same area each week and best of all, it doesn't cause
any interruptions when you are having sex.
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KissMeGoodnight.com
: 2008
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